If you are looking for ways to make your budget stretch a bit further and have some items that you no longer use, it is worth knowing that some retailers will buy them back.
Being able to return goods that you no longer need is not only good for your bank balance, but also potentially better for the environment.
Although it’s worthwhile pointing out that the financial rewards are usually vouchers, rather than cash.
So, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease and you're updating your wardrobe for summer or redecorating your home, it might be a good idea to have a clear-out at the same time.
Here are three buy back schemes available right now.
IKEA
The furniture giant's new buy back service encourages customers to sell back items they no longer need.
In return, they will receive a voucher to spend at the store.
IKEA says the furniture will be resold at affordable prices, giving them a second life and helping prevent them from entering landfill unnecessarily.
Eligible products include dressers, cabinets, bookcases and shelf units, small tables, dining tables, desks and more.
IKEA’s buy back scheme rates:
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Good as new products will be bought for 50% of the original price
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Items with minor scratches will be bought for 40%
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Well used and scratched furniture will be bought for 30%
More information can be found on ikea.com.
Mulberry
Mulberry's buy back programme means the brand will buy your Mulberry bag, repair it if needed, and help it to find a new home.
Through the exchange programme, people could potentially receive up to 25 per cent of the original purchase value of the bag back as a gift card.
You may be able to boost the price if you can dig out your receipt.
Mulberry's website says a quote would be equivalent to 25 per cent of the last known selling price of the bag - or 25 per cent of your original purchase price if proof of purchase is supplied.
More information can be found on mulberry.com/gb.
Marks & Spencer
M&S and Oxfam have been running a 'shwopping' clothes recycling scheme since 2008 - clothing can be donated at M&S stores or Oxfam.
Customers can donate clothes from any brand in any condition at Shwopping drops in M&S stores, including shoes, accessories and bras.
Shwopping was temporarily paused at the start of the coronavirus pandemic - but M&S says it's since been made available to customers as its clothing stores have reopened.
Customers who take M&S clothing to Oxfam stores can get a £5 M&S voucher, subject to terms and conditions - you'll also be supporting sustainability and improving the lives of others.
The scheme has helped raise over £23 million to support people living in extreme poverty.
Clothing is resold by Oxfam and may also be recycled and used by businesses, such as for M&S's mattress filling.
Carmel McQuaid, head of sustainable business at M&S, said: "We want our customers to be confident that the clothes they buy at M&S are made to last, but if they finish wearing their old favourites, we make it easy to give them a new purpose through shwopping."
More information can be found on marksandspencer.com/c/plan-a-shwopping.
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